How to Watch American Netflix in Spain

Posted by Arch on August 30, 2019

If you’re going to Spain for a vacation and want to continue watching your favorite shows and movies, you’ll probably need access to American Netflix. The same goes for the users based in Spain who want a taste of the original Netflix.

Netflix expanded into Spanish market back in 2015. It took the service eight years to reach the Iberian Peninsula – Portugal got its own version the same year.

Despite a somewhat late expansion, Spanish Netflix grew to around 2.2 million subscribers at the time of this writing and is the second-biggest provider of subscription TV services in the country. However, in a country with around 46 million residents, Netflix still has a lot of room to grow.

As for the local library, it is rather modest. It is also heavily concentrated on Spanish titles, with a not-so-stellar selection of foreign movies and shows. As the situation currently stands, Spanish Netflix offers around 1,000 series and TV shows and around 2,300 films.

For comparison, the US library is 1,800 TV shows and around 4,000 movies strong. Having this in mind, it is no wonder that Spanish subscribers and those from the US going to Spain are seeking ways to access the American site.

Why Is Some Netflix Content Blocked in Spain?

Netflix content differs from country to country. The library available to the users located in the United States is by far the biggest in the world. It also has more recently released TV shows and movies than any other regional site. Why so?

There are two reasons for that. The first one is local rights. Most of the content available on Netflix isn’t made by Netflix. Therefore, Netflix has to buy local streaming rights for third-party content. Local streaming rights are sold in auctions and given to the highest bidder. Needless to say, Netflix doesn’t always win.

The second reason why the libraries differ from region to region is geo-restriction. If the creator of a movie or a TV show doesn’t want to show their content in Spain for some reason, Netflix can’t make it available to its Spanish subscribers. Also, if the Spanish government bans a movie or a TV show for whatever reason, Netflix has to prevent its Spanish subscribers from gaining access to it via the platform.

Can I Access American Netflix in Spain the Regular Way?

The short and simple answer to this question is – no. You can’t access American Netflix from Spain. You can’t access Portuguese, French, or any other local variant of Netflix, for that matter.

Netflix tracks its users’ location and redirects them to the site available in their region. You can try and search for netflix.com. If you click or tap on the link to the American site, you will promptly be redirected to the Spanish version of the site – netflix.es.

The VPN Route

However, not all is lost. You can still enjoy American Netflix even if you live in Spain or are there on a vacation. To do that, you will need to install a VPN app on the device on which you’d like to stream movies and TV shows.

In a nutshell, a VPN (virtual private network) app will replace your router’s IP address with a new one and make you appear like you’re located somewhere else. For the purposes of watching American Netflix, you’ll need a US-based IP address and you’ll have to connect to a server located in the United States.

It is important to note that Netflix is pretty proficient in busting VPN apps, so make sure you get a good one. Back in the day, any old VPN app could trick its geo-location algorithm. However, pressured by content providers, Netflix has upped its game in this sector and very few, if any, free apps can get through its defenses.

In the following section, we’ll take a brief overview of the setup. Have in mind that these are general steps and that they might vary slightly from app to app. After the setup, we’ll also examine some of the best VPN options out there.

VPN Setup

If you’re trying to gain access to the American Netflix from Spain, here’s what the process should look like:

Register your account with a VPN service of your choice.

Download and install a VPN app on the device you plan on using to watch Netflix.

Set up the app. Some apps are harder to set up than the others. If you run into a problem, contact the app’s support page.

Next, turn on VPN and select a US-based server. Go for a fast one, especially if you want to watch HD streams.

Wait for the app to connect you to the server and give you a US-based IP address.

Search for Netflix in your favorite browser.

If everything worked out fine, you should be redirected to netflix.com.

Log in with your credentials and enjoy your favorite movies and TV series.

It is important to note that you don’t need a US-based account to log into the American site. You can log in even if your account is registered in Spain. The only thing that matters is your location.

Top VPN Apps

Netflix’s defenses are getting stronger every day and many VPN apps that used to work in the past don’t work now. Nevertheless, here’s a brief overview of the best options that are still working at the moment of this writing.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a bit pricey, but a very reliable app. It offers stellar 256-bit data encryption, zero-log policy (meaning the app doesn’t track you around the web), and high speeds. The app is available on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux platforms, and has a generous 30-day money back guarantee. ExpressVPN also has a large number of US-based servers.

CyberGhost

CyberGhost is another option that still works. The app is available on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Android TV, and Linux devices. There are also extensions for Firefox and Chrome.

Cyberghost has lean and user-friendly interface, 256-bit data encryption, and zero-log policy. You can install it on seven devices with one account. US-based servers are fast and reliable.

NordVPN

Security is the main feature of the NordVPN app. Instead of the standard 256-bit, NordVPN offers 2048-bit encryption. The app is available on all major platforms and there are also Chrome and Firefox extensions. You can install it on 6 devices with a single subscription plan. Their servers in the United States are fast and can support HD streaming with ease.

Viva Netflix!

With the regional locks behind you, you will be able to enjoy the latest episodes of your favorite TV show even in Spain. All you need is a fast internet connection and a good VPN app.

Have you managed to log into the American site from Spain? Which VPN app did you opt for? Tell us in the comments below.